All of the images here are in the public domain in the USA, with sources as indicated.
Often the originals are too large to present online. Click (or right-click to download) on each image for a larger (if not as large as possible) version.
The images which serve as links to other documents on this site are described on the "About the Images" pages for those linked documents.
From: Mergenthaler Linotype Company. Linotype Bulletin. (January, 1915). Brooklyn, NY: Mergenthaler Linotype Company, 1915. Scanned by DMM from the original.
This image depicts a "matrix" (or "mat") for a composing linecaster such as a Linotype or Intertype, Most of the printed matter in the world from the end of the 19th century through the middle of the 20th was created using mats such as this, so a bit of a flourish around it is entirely appropriate.
From: International Typographic Union I.T.U. Lessons in Printing: Display Composition - Unit II. Indianapolis, Indiana: International Typographical Union, 1957. Scanned by DMM from the original.
This shows a layout, which is as good an image as I can think of to suggest "preliminaries."
From: Mergenthaler Linotype Company. Linotype Leadership. Brooklyn, NY: Mergenthaler Linotype Company, 1930. Scanned by DMM from the original.
In this image, a brass intermediate pattern for the sort "B" is being traced by a Benton-style pantograph matrix engraving machine. Another portion of this machine, located vertically above, is engraving a punch to be used to punch Linotype matrices.
From: Intertype Corporation. Streamlined Intertype Line Composing Machines. Brooklyn, NY: Intertype Corporation, [n.d., after 1946 (uses "Visilite" trademark) but before 1963 (no ZIP codes), probably early 1950s] Scanned by DMM from the original.
This shows a "Microkator" (ill-advised marketing dialect for a (very nice) dial indicator and stand) checking the dimensions of an Intertype mold.
From: Ludlow Typograph Company. Ludlow Model M [brochure]. Chicago, IL: Ludlow Typograph Company, circa 1965. Scanned by DMM from the original.
This shows the process of setting Ludlow matrices in a Ludlow composing stick.
